Systems and methods for detecting materials in food products

Abstract

A device, method and system for measuring analytes in a solution or suspension. The device includes a housing, a sample chamber, one or more pumps, one or more detectors, one or more stirrers, electrical contacts, a magnetic manipulator and a lid. A sample cartridge for a device that measures analytes, the cartridge comprising a first outer compartment, a second outer compartment, and a middle compartment, wherein the first outer compartment and the second outer compartment are interconnected to the middle compartment by channels.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 720,820, filed on Oct. 31, 2012. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.INTRODUCTION[0002]The present technology relates to systems, devices and methods for the detection of materials in foods and other products intended for human or animal consumption or contact, including allergens, bacteria, viruses, herbicides, pesticides and other contaminants.[0003]Public awareness of the use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and other synthetic chemicals in farming is increasing. For example, organophosphates, which are common active ingredients in insecticides and herbicides, have been associated with impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, depression, irritability, headaches, insomnia, onset of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue, and cancer. Awareness of the tox...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present technology also provides a sample cartridge for a device that measures analytes in a sample. The cartridge comprises two outer solution compartments separated by a middle compartment, wherein the two outer solution compartments are capable of accepting solutions, and transfer of the solutions from the outer solution compartments to the middle compartment does not occur without an increase or decrease in pressure induced by injectors. The process of solution transfer from both outer compartments can be independent of each other. A filter can be integrated into at least one of the two outer solution compartments. The two outer solution compartments and the middle compartment comprise a front face and a back face, wherein both faces are composed of an optically clear plastic through which a detectable signal can pass. The cartridge can comprise electrodes that interact with electrical contacts within a sample chamber of a device for detecting analytes when the cartridge is inserted into such a device. The sample cartridge can be packaged within a plastic or aluminum seal to ensure a sterile internal environment before testing, and to prolong the lifetime of the cartridge.

[0016]Additionally, the present technology provides methods for measuring analytes in a sample. The sample can be a consumer product or the sample can be an element of a chemical or biochemical assay. The method comprises obtaining a sample cartridge comprising a first outer compartment, a second outer compartment, a middle compartment, and integrated electrodes and / or screen printed electrodes, wherein the first outer compartment and the second outer compartment are interconnected to the middle compartment by channels; obtaining a measuring device comprising a sample chamber, one or more pumps, one or more detectors, one or more stirrers, electrical contacts, a magnetic manipulator and a closable lid, wherein the closable lid comprises seals, actuators and injectors; transferring a solvent into the first (solvent) outer compartment of the sample cartridge; preparing a sample in a sample solvent; transferring the sample into the second (sample) outer compartment of the sample cartridge; inserting the sample cartridge into the sample chamber of the measuring device; and closing the lid. In some embodiments, a filter is integrated into at least one of the outer compartments of the sample cartridge allowing for filtering of the solvent or sample when being transferred into the sample cartridge from large solid particles and or agglomerates, which could impair the detection or clog the channels. When the lid is closed, the actuators position the seals to produce a hermetic seal on the outer compartments of the sample cartridge. Alternatively, the seals can be mechanically positioned on the sample cartridge to provide a hermetic seal, induced by manually closing the closable lid. The injectors can then be operated to induce pneumatic pressure into the outside chambers, thereby transferring the sample and the solvent from the outer compartments, through the channels, and into the middle compartment. The transfer of sample and solvent solutions can be independent of each other and can proceed in any order or simultaneously. Alternatively, pressure might be induced to the middle chamber and provide a solution transfer by controlling and releasing pressure to the outer compartments. This method allows for contactless and cross-contamination free transferring of sample and solvent from within the sample cartridge. In some embodiments, the contents of the middle compartments are stirred or mixed pneumatically, magnetically, acoustically, or by sonication.

Problems solved by technology

Although the labeling of foods as organic is regulated, foods that are improperly labeled as “organic” have been found in grocery stores.

In general, organic food might be easily mixed and contaminated with non-organic food during transportation, storage, and sale.

For example, ingestion of an allergen can lead to serious consequences, including death.

While laws and regulations exist that require the labeling of ingredients in foods, cosmetics and other compositions for human contact or consumption, consumers cannot necessarily be assured that such products do not contain materials that may create adverse health effects.

Moreover, some products may be mislabeled, or subject to tampering, adulteration or accidental contamination.

While analytical methods exist for identifying contaminants, such methods are typically expensive and otherwise not convenient at the retail or consumer stages of product production, delivery and use.

Most commonly, these methods are instrumental methods that require expensive laboratory instrumentation, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), etc.

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